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Description:

Growth Characteristics: Northern bedstraw grows on an upright, smooth stems, 7 to 30 inches tall. It spreads
by creeping roots and self-seeding. Flowering occurs in late spring and early summer.

Flowers: Tiny white flowers appear in numerous, rather showy, repeatedly 3-forked clusters. Petals
are white or slightly creamy, 3.5-7mm wide, with 4 spreading lobes which are separate
almost to the base.

Fruits/Seeds: Pairs of nutlets, about 2 mm long, softly hairy with short, straight or curled, but
not hooked, hairs that are inconspicuous to the naked eye, or hairless.

Leaves: Northern bedstraw leaves are narrow, ½ inch wide, up to 2 inches long, and appear
along the stems in whorls of four. There are three prominent veins on the leaves.

Uses and Management:

Bedstraw is not particularly palatable to livestock and native ungulates, but often
makes up a small portion of their diets. Usage may increase with stocking rates or
with length of grazing time. While not necessarily an important food source for herbivores,
bedstraw is an early season food source for black bears. The presence of bedstraw
indicates important elk, deer, and moose habitats.

Northern bedstraw was used to slow bleeding, ease childbirth, increase the appetite,
and reduce fever. The plant was boiled to make a wash to remove freckles. When the
seeds are roasted, they can be used like coffee. The leaves can curdle milk to make
cheese. Continual use of this plant will irritate the mouth.